One More Pill

Stabilo’s lead singer Jesse Dryfhout says he’s a little torn about the band’s new group of the year nomination at the 2007 Junos.
After all, the band is hardly new.

Stabilo (formerly Stabilo Boss) began 12 years ago in B.C., when Dryfhout and fellow vocalist Christopher John were in high school. Drummer Nathan Wylie and bass player Karl Williaume joined a couple years later. Since then, the group has steadily cultivated a fan base.
“Every year as things build and grow, it’s kind of a renewed hope that everything will work out”, Dryfhout said.
However, success as measured by record sales or publicity appearances isn’t what motivates them.
“It’s really just about live shows, playing music and recording it,” he said. “I think the biggest enjoyment I get out of it is the release I get from writing music.”

Despite confusion over the category, a Juno nomination was a big goal for Dryfhout. The singer grew up with a Juno award at his parent’s house. His late uncle Ron Tabak was part of the band Prism, and Tabak’s Juno served as inspiration.

In 2002, Dryfhout’s song Everybody won a radio contest and opened some doors for the then-independent band. The band was called Stabilo Boss at the time, named after a highlighter.
Band members thought they might save themselves trouble from the pen company by changing their name, and dropped the “Boss” for their major label debut in 2004.
“The pen company has actually been supportive of us,” Dryfhout said. “They just sent us a whole bunch of highlighters.”

Besides accidentally linking Internet users to the pen company’s website, they have used their visibility to bring attention to political and social issues.
Their website links fans to groups such as Amnesty International and Doctors Without Borders.
“Ninety per cent of our time spent travelling is arguing about that stuff with each other,” he said.

After a summer of touring, the band is taking some time off before heading back to the studio.
-Stewart

-Nomination: New Group of the Year
-Albums: Happiness & Disaster, 2006. Cupid?, 2004, both EMI records. Beautiful Madness, 2002. Stabilo Boss, 2001. Kitchen Sessions, 1999
-Recognizable songs: Everybody, Flawed Design
-Double Time: Stabilo has two lead singers, Jesse Dryfhout and Christopher John.
-Where to find them Juno Weekend: Presenting at the Awards Banquet, Fan Fare.

Watch Video Clip

Photos above: Chris and Jesse at Fan Fare.
Courtesy of Jenn Kerr Gaspar at Juno Town